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Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Eagle Island Sea Kayaking

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Ketchikan, USA
Popular pick
Booked 5+ times last week!
  • 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8
·
· Sheila_G ·
Aug 2025
Had so much fun! Great exercise/excursion to go to. Our guide, Mallory (guessing that’s how it’s spelled?) was awesome! She took us to certain places on the island and showed us some cool marine life.
· Kelly_M ·
Sep 2025
Jacob and Katy were a lot of fun. They knew the area and seemed to be flexing the plan around the day and the ability of the guests. It was a great way to spend our time in Ketchikan!

Overview

While your ship is docked in Ketchikan, kayak around Eagle Island, part of Tongass National Forest, on this shore excursion. Enter the protected waters of Clover Pass and increase your chances of spotting wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, salmon, and even whales as you explore in a quiet, eco-friendly vessel. The tranquil waters provide a perfect opportunity for beginning kayakers and the more experienced alike to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness.
  • Learn a new skill with hands-on guidance throughout
  • Stay active while on vacation with this experience
  • Enjoy an easy-level kayaking experience great for novices and families
  • Safety briefing, equipment and port transport provided

What's Included

  • Sea kayak tour
  • Use of all necessary equipment
  • Professional guide
  • Port pickup and drop off
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

**Please arrive no later than THE TOUR TIME.** Our representative will be expecting you then at "The Rock " (a life sized bronze statue of people). "The Rock" is located on Berth 2 which is opposite the corner of Mission and Front Streets. Our representative will be holding a sign that says the name of your tour, "Alaska Boatman Tour" or " Eagle Island Sea Kayaking". Please allow yourself up to 15 minutes from the time you disembark the cruise ship to locate the meeting point depending which cruise ship berth you are arriving on. See below for Ward Cove Dock arrival (Norwegian Cruise Lines and Oceana Cruise Lines) Ward Cove Guests(Norwegian and Oceana Cruise Lines): If your tour time is earlier than 9am we would like to pick you up at Ward Cove. If your tour time is after 9am you have time to visit town before your tour if you like. For Norwegian ships this is often your only chance to see downtown Ketchikan, take the free shuttle from Ward Cove Dock(be sure to give yourself 45 min from the time you hop on the shuttle until the tour meeting/start time.. At 9am the shuttle line can be very long! Early bird gets the worm! The Shuttle (15-20 min ride) will drop you off on Dock 4 and it is a 10-15 min walk to Dock 2 to meet at "The Rock" described above or you can request to be picked up at Ward Cove, Just call us. Please keep in mind if you're getting picked up at Ward Cove Dock we will be there 10-15 minutes after the meeting time listed above(WE RECOMMEND THIS FOR ALL EARLY MORNING TOURS 7:00 - 9:15am). For a Ward Cove pick up you will meet inside of the Ward Cove terminal in the back right corner of the building next to the garage door and the bathrooms. Look for our representative who will show up in the garage doorway with a sign with your TOUR name on it. "Alaska Boatman Tour" or "Eagle Island Sea Kayaking". **Please call the tour operator the morning of your excursion if you would like to be picked up at Ward Cove rather than downtown.**

Itinerary

Don’t miss this chance to explore Ketchikan’s natural beauty while your ship is docked. After port pickup by van, your guide takes you to the launch site in Clover Pass, where you’ll receive a safety briefing for your kayaking adventure. The gentle currents give first-time paddlers and those with more experience a great opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan scenery.

Hop into your tandem kayak and set off after your guide toward Eagle Island, part of Tongass National Forest. As you make your way around the island, see seals swimming nearby, salmon leaping into the air and eagles swooping high above. You may even spot humpbacks and orcas in the area.

At the end of your kayaking, return to the launch site, where your minivan awaits to transport you back to Ketchikan port.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Ketchikan for this activity. If your ship is delayed and you are unable attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
1

Southeast Exposure Outdoor Adventure Center

Admission Ticket Free

2

Tongass National Forest

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
  • Passenger restrictions: Maximum Height: 6'6" inches Maximum Weight: 230 pounds Minimum Age: 8 years
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8
based on 360 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We were lucky and spent...

Lori_D, Oct 2025
We were lucky and spent 20 mins surrounded by feeding whales. We also kayaked among seals, eagles and sea lions.

Get out of the gift shops and into the water!

Kelly_M, Sep 2025
Jacob and Katy were a lot of fun. They knew the area and seemed to be flexing the plan around the day and the ability of the guests. It was a great way to spend our time in Ketchikan!

Kayak with Jacob

Anonymous, Sep 2025
Excellent paddle! Jacob was a great coach for a newbie, and very knowledgeable about the area. And the weather was fantastic!

Great!

Morris_L, Aug 2025
It was a lot of fun and educational. Saw eagles, seals. Our guide was terrific! I definitely recommend it!

Great Excursion!

Sheila_G, Aug 2025
Had so much fun! Great exercise/excursion to go to. Our guide, Mallory (guessing that’s how it’s spelled?) was awesome! She took us to certain places on the island and showed us some cool marine life.

Eli the best tour guide

Johnny_S, Aug 2025
We had Eli as our tour guide, he was super nice and very knowledgeable with the History of the area.

This is a very peaceful...

Cyd_M, Aug 2025
This is a very peaceful adventure. The guides were so knowledgeable and helpful. I was unsure if I could get in and out of the kayak, but they made it very easy.

Would kayak with them again!

Brianne_K, Aug 2025
Eli and Sarah M were great! Would highly recommend. Still fun even though it rained the whole time. Got to hold a starfish and see a ton of seals.

Morning kayaking in Ketchikan

william_g, Aug 2025
Excursion provided transport to and from the cruise terminal. We started at 730. About 90 minutes of kayaking - saw starfish, sea lions, sea cucumbers, and bald eagles. Great tour guides. Would definitely recommend. Much more economical than the similar tour via the cruise line.

Great kayaking tour

Joan_N, Aug 2025
Just a wonderful day kayaking near Eagle Island in Ketchikan! Gavin and Sarah N. were knowledgeable and friendly! Glad we ventioned away from the downtown area and experienced some nature in Alaska.

Wonderful Way to Experience Alaska’s Wildlife

Gavin_C, Aug 2025
We had a wonderful time! Our guide, Gavin, was very knowledgeable & engaging. We saw a good amount of wildlife, including several bald eagles, starfish, jellyfish, seals, and more.

Sea kayaking in Nature

Ann_M, Jul 2025
The tour was as subscribed and our guides Andy and Shay were Fabulous. We saw lots of wildlife from bald eagles everywhere, to sea urchins, jelly fish, starfish, sea lions and seals. The water was calm, no rain and it was so peaceful out on the water. They were also very punctual. I’d highly recommend this tour. It’s not strenuous and super enjoyable.

Had a great time

Nancy_W, Jul 2025
Have a raincoat. Had lots of fun got to see some eagles! We didn’t see any whales, but that’s OK. Saw some super cool starfish.

Bragging Rites for Sara/Erin

Jazzy_C, Jul 2025
This was my first time kayaking. Sara and Erin were amazing guides! They were friendly, pleasant and helpful. As first time kayakers they gave clear and understandable instructions. They were patient with me my nephew always bringing up the rear ;) I would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone (beginner to expert) looking for something fun, refreshing and exciting to do in Ketchikan, AK

Wonderful tour

Susi_P, Jul 2025
Shea was a great guide…my granddaughter and I loved the experience…it was fun paddling together and learning about some of the sea life out around Eagle and Clover Islands…

This kayaking excursion...

Jessica_K, Jul 2025
This kayaking excursion was amazing and stress free! Finding the tour departure area was quick and easy. Our tour guides (Mallory and Sarah) kept us at a nice pace so that we could see a variety of wildlife, but didn’t feel overwhelmed by needing to keep up. They were also extremely knowledgeable about the animals we saw. I 100% would recommend to anyone.

Good experience

Joseph_F, Jul 2025
This is a well organized guided trip. The guides did a great job narrating. You may or may not see much wildlife. In all fairness you can only paddle so far in an hour and a half.

Fantabulous Excursion!

Brian_D, Jun 2025
We had an awesome trip Led by Sarah N. and Eli. They were great getting us oriented and on the water efficiently. We took a scenic tour around the waterway/ and two small islands. We saw 2 humpbacks breach! Also saw sea lions and harbor seals along w starfish and jellyfish. Great excursion for everyone on the trip.

Wonderful Experience

Brenda_C, Jun 2025
Very safe, highly recommend. Sarah N fantastic guide. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Saw a whale breaching, star fish and bald eagles. Great equipment too.

Very nice kayaking, well run

Melissa_S, Jun 2025
Overall great experience! Sarah picked us up a little late due to unusually long traffic lines on the single road due to land slides. But the company was easy to communicate with and made sure we still got our full time on the water as well as being back in plenty of time to get back in our ship. My biggest concern was getting cold and wet, but we had great weather, and the kayaks include a skirt to keep water out. So we were very comfortable. The paddling was not too difficult, and can be done by an average adult with a child up front. But we did get to cruise the shoreline, go out to an island with a bald eagle nest, see and touch some starfish, and we even got a distant humpback whale sighting. I would definitely recommend this excursion, and the company seemed well organized, I would do their other excursion as well if I get another opportunity.

Eli and Sarah were...

Diego_S, Jun 2025
Eli and Sarah were incredible guides! My first time Kayaking and in Alaska of all places! However, they walked us through it all! I had zero concerns throughout the entire experience! They were informative, funny, and experienced. I felt safe and enjoyed an incredible experience with them! 10/10 would recommend!

Kayak Ketchikan! 2025

Maria_N, Jun 2025
Great crew! Nice equipment and the location is great !! Saw whales, seals, deer and Eagles! Great memories!! Thank you!!

Kayaking

Ann_A, Jun 2025
What an awesome experience! Sarah and Elias (sp?) were so friendly, informative, and engaging with the kids to provide a very unique and hands on experience. Got to hold starfish and even a kind of jellyfish. Scenery unparalleled. Lots of eagles, and even saw humpbacks bubble feeding in the distance. Could not have kinder words about the crew and experience as a whole. Highly recommend!

Awesome Ketchikan kayak experience

Max_A, May 2025
We loved this tour! Got really lucky with the weather, and even when it did change 5 times and rain a bit it was still awesome. We kayaked for about 90 minutes across the inlet, saw some eagles and even some seals pop up toward the end. The guides were great, super knowledgeable and friendly. I also appreciated they provided gear to keep dry and warmer on the water.

Excellent Kayak Adventure

Rob_H, May 2025
Our guide met us at the cruise ship and gave us an excellent kayaking adventure! I highly recommend this tour.

We'd do it again!

Emily_L, May 2025
We had an amazing experience! We saw plenty of wildlife (whale, eagles, seals, starfish) and our tour guide, Katie, was great. It was approximately a 25 minute drive to the kayaking spot, located in an inlet. We got to kayak out pretty far, super fun. Definitely recommend.

Awesome experience

Michael_L, Sep 2024
My wife and I booked our excursion through Viator and were the only group that went out that morning. Eli was a great guide. The water was for the most part very calm. The kayak had a rudder which made maneuvering very easy. We had close encounters with sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles. We had an awesome time and would recommend this tour to everyone.

MUST DO EXCURSION

Terri_A, Sep 2024
Katy was out tour guide and she was so sweet and helpful. We had the best time even though it was raining and cold. We had a couple of humpback whales surface close to us which was both scary and exhilarating! We saw starfish, eagles nests, whales, seal lions, and seals. It was my favorite part of my whole Alaskan trip!

Eagles and Kayaking! FUN!

Justin_M, Aug 2024
It was great to be on the water, enjoy a little exercise, and see lots of wildlife in one experience! We saw 5 eagles (3 adults & 2 juveniles) and lots of starfish. The owner (mom) was awesome in taking us back to Ketchikan and very engaged in conversation with us. The two young ladies who drove us to the location, were too quiet despite us trying to engage them. Otherwise, great excursion with this company!

Kayak trip filled with wildlife!

Todd_F, Aug 2024
We had a great time! Katie was fantastic and took her time explaining the beautiful sights and animals we encountered (Sea Lions, Eagles, Seals)!

From $115.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 59 days in advance.

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